Coming to an Etsy store near you... soon. Thanks for looking!
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Friday, March 13, 2009
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Dreaming of Seaside
Remember that cute little cottage I booked six months ago? It's almost time to go!
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
More Rose Gardening
Still playing around with the tidal pool bead turned garden bead. Getting there...
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Sea Cucumbers? Alien Seed Pods?
I'm not sure what these are yet. Or if I'm done with them. I don't think I am...
Monday, March 09, 2009
Rose Garden
It snowed today. Hail too. The ground is crunchy frozen and the air is crisp. Icy fingers of draftyness are reaching through my single pane windows and under the doors... it's downright depressing.
I'm jones'ing for spring, have been flipping through my garden books and magazines, catalogs too. I can't for the life of me figure out what I want to do with my front yard - it's a blank slate right now and anything is possible. And that's the problem, I like it all. White picket fences with climbing roses and hollyhocks and tulips and lilac bushes... tall green hedges and white birch trees with day lilies and hosta.... a funky spiral walkway with blueberry bushes and a pumpkin patch... are you starting to see my dilemma?
So today, instead of digging in the dirt and marking off paths and beds and deciding where the hedge could grow... I made Rose Garden Beads. It's all I could think to do when the world was white and frozen and cold... dreams in pink and green with lots of sunshine.
I'm jones'ing for spring, have been flipping through my garden books and magazines, catalogs too. I can't for the life of me figure out what I want to do with my front yard - it's a blank slate right now and anything is possible. And that's the problem, I like it all. White picket fences with climbing roses and hollyhocks and tulips and lilac bushes... tall green hedges and white birch trees with day lilies and hosta.... a funky spiral walkway with blueberry bushes and a pumpkin patch... are you starting to see my dilemma?
So today, instead of digging in the dirt and marking off paths and beds and deciding where the hedge could grow... I made Rose Garden Beads. It's all I could think to do when the world was white and frozen and cold... dreams in pink and green with lots of sunshine.
Team WETsy March Madness
Team WETsy (one of my Etsy street teams) is having a fun promotion this month - find a pot o' gold in some of the team member's shops and get some free things... free beads maybe, free shipping maybe, a discount of some sort. Check it out here: Team WETsy Blog.
Sunday, March 08, 2009
Destination ImagiNation
Luke's big Destination ImagiNation Competition was yesterday. His team, the DIamonds, wasn't allowed to actually compete - for a real prize - as they were too young still - but they got do everything just as if they were, and they did GREAT!
Destination ImaginNation is Luke's new favorite thing in the world - it's so creative and the kids all get to put their wacky ideas out there and people actually listen and then best of all, let them try them out to see if they will work or figure out how to adjust them so that they eventually will.
This group of 9 second-graders brainstormed and decided to do a skit about discovering ice-cream in the center of the earth. They wrote two songs, wrote their own lines, created their own rock monster costumes, invented a device to shoot ice-cream through to feed the fire monster and created their own set and props. All by themselves. The parents were not allowed to help in any way, we had to sign a contract saying we would not even give them ideas. They could ask us how to do something, sew for example, and we could teach them that, but then had to let them do the rest on their own.
Luke decided to use fabric for his costume - he put a diamond heart on it (with fabric glue) and sparkles, and used safety pins instead of sewing. Other kids used boxes or bags to create their costumes. Each one was completely different, and really great. The fire monster wore white with red and yellow feathers glued on. One of the rock monsters had a pet rock - a rock on a rope. And then they had 8 minutes of lines to remember and say in front of a room of complete strangers and a table of judges. They pulled it off and were total superstars and were very proud of themselves. Now they can't wait until next year... when they actually will have a chance to win an award.
Tuesday, March 03, 2009
The Finished Auction Project
Twelve of Twelve, all squished on the canvas!
"Mrs. Figel's Second Grade Tall Tale Garden"
Inspired by the second grade literature curriculum of Tall Tales, Fairy Tales and Folk Tales, along with their science unit of growing plants from seeds, this wild garden masterpiece showcases the budding imaginations of each of Mrs. Figel's students. Each student contributed to this mixed media wall art hanging by creating a seed pod that grows into something "wild and amazing". From a seed that grows into "a house, a cow and a chicken so that someone can have everything they need", to a diamond seed planted that grows a "real diamond", to a monster flower bud that eats the scary monster flowers. The students sketched their plants and then cut them out of quilting fabric in colors of their choosing. The plants have been arranged on a canvas painted with acrylics to create a wild growing garden landscape and the whole thing is sealed with clear acrylic medium. The edges of this 40" X 30" gallery wrapped canvas have been finished with acrylic paint so that it may be hung in your home without needing a frame.
"Mrs. Figel's Second Grade Tall Tale Garden"
Inspired by the second grade literature curriculum of Tall Tales, Fairy Tales and Folk Tales, along with their science unit of growing plants from seeds, this wild garden masterpiece showcases the budding imaginations of each of Mrs. Figel's students. Each student contributed to this mixed media wall art hanging by creating a seed pod that grows into something "wild and amazing". From a seed that grows into "a house, a cow and a chicken so that someone can have everything they need", to a diamond seed planted that grows a "real diamond", to a monster flower bud that eats the scary monster flowers. The students sketched their plants and then cut them out of quilting fabric in colors of their choosing. The plants have been arranged on a canvas painted with acrylics to create a wild growing garden landscape and the whole thing is sealed with clear acrylic medium. The edges of this 40" X 30" gallery wrapped canvas have been finished with acrylic paint so that it may be hung in your home without needing a frame.
Sunday, March 01, 2009
My Baby's Blue Eyes
I just want to share some really good news with the world. My kid can see. The way most everybody else can. And let me just say, that is something to jump for joy about!
It was this time last year when my heart just about broke when Luke said to me, "Mom, I can tell which ball is the real ball and which ball is the fake ball." He was talking about the baseball and it all of sudden clicked why he wasn't batting well. Why he could throw the ball great, but wasn't so good at catching. And it fit right in with why reading wasn't going well... it all started to add up. All those little signs that didn't seem like much... until that comment.
So now it's a year later, about 9 months into vision therapy and little league is starting up again. And WOW!!! What a difference 9 months can make! The kid can hit the ball! The kid can catch! Even he is amazed at how better baseball is now that there is just one ball. I could cry, I'm so happy for him. Never mind that he's reading like a champ, chapter books and the computer, all that great stuff he needs to do to succeed in school and life - we've been watching that slowly progress over the months, so we knew things were improving, and I've been proud of him for how hard he's been working at all of it. But THIS! This comparison hits it all home for all of us. He's amazed and proud of HIMSELF and this new confidence is the biggest thing of all. Go Luke!
It was this time last year when my heart just about broke when Luke said to me, "Mom, I can tell which ball is the real ball and which ball is the fake ball." He was talking about the baseball and it all of sudden clicked why he wasn't batting well. Why he could throw the ball great, but wasn't so good at catching. And it fit right in with why reading wasn't going well... it all started to add up. All those little signs that didn't seem like much... until that comment.
So now it's a year later, about 9 months into vision therapy and little league is starting up again. And WOW!!! What a difference 9 months can make! The kid can hit the ball! The kid can catch! Even he is amazed at how better baseball is now that there is just one ball. I could cry, I'm so happy for him. Never mind that he's reading like a champ, chapter books and the computer, all that great stuff he needs to do to succeed in school and life - we've been watching that slowly progress over the months, so we knew things were improving, and I've been proud of him for how hard he's been working at all of it. But THIS! This comparison hits it all home for all of us. He's amazed and proud of HIMSELF and this new confidence is the biggest thing of all. Go Luke!
Signs of Spring
Lots of little green sprigs poking up through the ground and dried leaves. Today I found this little sweetie in a place I'm sure there were none last year.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Monday, February 23, 2009
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Underwater Inspiration
The Aquarium is one of the most inspiring places we visit. I just love it there. The tide pools, the sea stars, the octopus, all the reef aquariums... and nature's amazing color combinations that wow and pop and rock my world. I can't wait to get a chance to melt some glass and see what kind of beads today's eye candy will percolate in my head.
Monday, February 16, 2009
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Friday, February 13, 2009
Eight of Twelve
This is coming along good, though I'm wishing I'd gotten a bigger canvas. The kids love it!
Thursday, February 12, 2009
We Have a Winner! OWOH Winner!
This is how it went down:
Me: Pick a number between 1 and 331.
Luke: 320
Me: Subtract 100
Luke: 220
Me: Divide in half.
Luke: What?
Me: What is half of 220?
Luke: Oh. 110
Me: Add 35
Luke: 145
Me: Add 75
Luke: 220
Me and Luke at the same time: Hey! Look, two 220's! That must be it then!
And so the winner is:
Alexandra Knittel of Germany. Check out her site, she makes beautiful collage art and more. Congrats Alexandra!
And thank you to everyone who participated - this was so fun, what a big small world we live in! So many wonderful comments, you all really know how to make a person feel good about their art. And so many wonderful gifts being given out, I couldn't get to them all, but I'm looking forward to next year!
xoxo
Pam
Me: Pick a number between 1 and 331.
Luke: 320
Me: Subtract 100
Luke: 220
Me: Divide in half.
Luke: What?
Me: What is half of 220?
Luke: Oh. 110
Me: Add 35
Luke: 145
Me: Add 75
Luke: 220
Me and Luke at the same time: Hey! Look, two 220's! That must be it then!
And so the winner is:
Alexandra Knittel of Germany. Check out her site, she makes beautiful collage art and more. Congrats Alexandra!
And thank you to everyone who participated - this was so fun, what a big small world we live in! So many wonderful comments, you all really know how to make a person feel good about their art. And so many wonderful gifts being given out, I couldn't get to them all, but I'm looking forward to next year!
xoxo
Pam
One World, One Heart
Just a quick note to say I will announce my One World One Heart winner this afternoon once my kiddo gets home from school to do the number work. I wanted him to do it this morning but he was so excited about his Valentines Day party at school I couldn't get him to stay still long enough. But if I do it without him, he will be crushed. So this afternoon... This is how is will go: he will pick a number and I'm going to throw a bunch of math problems at it... until either he decides enough is enough or I do. Then I'll email the lucky winner. Stay tuned!
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Three of Twelve
The tall tale flower garden is starting to grow. Three of twelve. How will I fit them all on? We will see...
Monday, February 09, 2009
Saturday, February 07, 2009
500 Beads for Alzheimer's Disease
Our family is dealing with Alzheimer's Disease... it is a completely devastating disease, awful for the victim, worse for the family, and especially hard for the care-givers. My grandmother has it, my husband's father has it. My step grand-father has it. My great aunt had it. So many people I've talked to recently know someone who has it or had it. My step-brother is a medical student and has decided he is going to devote his career to researching it in the hopes of discovering a cure. And I've decided I must do something too, in addition to supporting my family in whatever way I possibly can from 3,000 miles away.
This is what I decided. For every bead sale I make this year, I will donate $1 to the Alzheimer's Association. My goal for the year is $500, which means I've got 469 beads to go. That's more than one bead a day, but I think it's do-able. Wouldn't it be wonderful to double it though! No matter, every bead will count and I'll keep updating my progress through the year.
This is what I decided. For every bead sale I make this year, I will donate $1 to the Alzheimer's Association. My goal for the year is $500, which means I've got 469 beads to go. That's more than one bead a day, but I think it's do-able. Wouldn't it be wonderful to double it though! No matter, every bead will count and I'll keep updating my progress through the year.
Friday, February 06, 2009
Tarot Fun
I was over at Kandice's Color Addictions blog and decided to follow her Free Tarot Card Reading link... asking if I'm on my right path... and this is what I got - pretty cool! Except for the birth of a new baby part. Not going there!
The card represents the critical factor for the issue at hand. Page of Wands: The essence of fire behaving as earth, such as wood or coal: The surprising appearance of a new passion. An adventurer who blazes through life, acting as a catalyst that others may harness. The intense enthusiasm and childlike imagination that fuels any new venture, needing only the application of mind and material to make it a success. Inner fire that can drive away fear and replace it with fury. Can represent a person of some timidity, but whose innate passion can be easily ignited. May indicate the birth of a child.
The card represents the critical factor for the issue at hand. Page of Wands: The essence of fire behaving as earth, such as wood or coal: The surprising appearance of a new passion. An adventurer who blazes through life, acting as a catalyst that others may harness. The intense enthusiasm and childlike imagination that fuels any new venture, needing only the application of mind and material to make it a success. Inner fire that can drive away fear and replace it with fury. Can represent a person of some timidity, but whose innate passion can be easily ignited. May indicate the birth of a child.
Thursday, February 05, 2009
New Lampwork Bead Listings on Etsy
These, plus the ones I showed off yesterday... except for the one that might have a reserve on it. Thanks for looking!
Wednesday, February 04, 2009
Back in the Flow
It's been a few days since I posted beads. Did you even notice? Well, even if you didn't, I did... and it's because... well... the magic disappeared. Poof, gone. So last night, after a frustrating time melting and messing things up, I decided today I was going to go back and make a Corina bead... you know, the type of bead I learned to make at that class last December with some of my glass friends... and see if I couldn't bring the magic back with some old-fashioned planning and preparation and comfort zone. And that is what I did, first bead this morning was this one:
And then! This one came about! I love it.
And eventually a couple like this one.
A good day in the bead studio. Finally. I'm happy.
And then! This one came about! I love it.
And eventually a couple like this one.
A good day in the bead studio. Finally. I'm happy.
Tuesday, February 03, 2009
It's that time of year again....
School class auction project time, that is. Yes, I signed up again, and I'm looking forward to it - I hope it turns out as great as last year. Today I got the background done, now it's up to the 2nd graders - they are going to draw some tall tale/fairy tale/folk tale flowers with seed pods and stems and leaves... because that is what they have been learning about this year (tall tales, folk tales, fairy tales) and pretty soon their science teacher is going to start a segment on plants and seeds. So it all ties together, but I want this to be wild and crazy and sureal and way over the top. I hope the kids think its a great project too... I'll find out tomorrow.
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